Press cover assembly



Sept. 19, 1967 H. DAV|S ET Al.

PRESS COVER ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 19, 1966 L. Davis 0%@ fave/2 Z671;

{Ze/15297@ d, Wai/07p @gi/.5',

United States Patent 3,341,954 PRESS COVER ASSEMBLY Harvey L. Davis,Highland Fark, Roy M. Schultz, Chicago, and Arvid B. Anderson, ParkRidge, lll., assignors to Bishop Freeman Co., a corporation of IllinoisFiled Sept. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 580,352 6 Claims. (Cl. 38-66) Thisinvention relates to a cushioned press cover for garment steaming andpressing equipment and, more particularly, is concerned with a cushionedplate assembly for use with the press head of such equipment.

The garment pressing and steaming art has long employed rigid pressplate arrangements, with special purpose cushioned plates more recentlycoming into vogue, for example, see Freeman Patent No. 2,814,135.Certain objectionable aspects of the rigid plate equipment have longbeen recognized in that certain materials when pressed with suchequipment sometimes exhibit a hard and shiny finish. In addition,projections such as buttons, seams and zippers prevent a full surfacedpressing action. rI`he special purpose plates eliminate some of theseproblems but do not provide proper protection to the user and togarments that are subject to spotting. When used on a press head, thespecial purpose structures have not had as long a life and are not aslong wearing as is desired.

The present invention discloses a cushioned press cover for the head orbuck of a press, and constructed of laminar form wherein each of thevarious layers serves a special function and the layers cooperativelyact to impart a soft and safe shineless finish with all types of fabricsand garments while also minimizing impressions or marks which wouldotherwise be left due to the presence in the garment of buttons, seamsand zippers. The layers of the assembly retain their propertiesindividually and collectively to provide long lasting performance. Thecushioning action of the multilayer assembly protects the garment andwhere used in conjunction with a liner plate as part of a press headassembly, the cushioning action also protects the liner plate to promoteplate life.

In the disclosed embodiment relating to a press head assembly, a metalsteam diffuser or liner plate serves as a carrier frame to receive aplurality of layers of special purpose flexible sheet materials whichcollectively are suitably porous to steam passage, which collectivelycushion mechanical stresses while accommodating surface irregularitiesand projections and which collectively thermally insulate the exteriorcontact face. The multilayer sheet assembly includes, in addition to thesteam ditlusor, an inner layer of `an asbestos fabric, an intermediatecushion layer of flannel sheeting and an outer cover layer of anon-stretchable filament fabric.

The steam dillusor in at least one of the embodiments illustrated isprovided with a rearwardly directed peripheral flange and at least someof the flexible layers are return folded about the flange to present acool fabric rim that never burns hands and that also aids plate life.The securement of the fabric rim to the liner flange is permanent andeffective as there is no requirement for disassembly of these layersduring the useful life of the press cover assembly.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims, and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which s-how structure embodying preferred featuresof the present invention and the principles thereof, and what is nowconsidered to be the best mode in which to apply t-hese principles.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the 3,34Li Patented Sept.19, 1967` lCe specification, and in which like numerals are employed todesignate like parts throughout the same.

FiG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment steaming and pressing machineof the type to which the invention is directed;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken as indicated onthe line 2 2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating one embodiment of a press coverassembly constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is a related sectional View illustrating another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a related sectional view illustrating still another embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary face view of the layers shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

Referring now to the drawings, a conventional type of steaming andpressing machine is illustrated in FIG. 1 as including a support 1Qmounting a padded buck 11 such as is adapted to have garments pressedthereon by means of a hingedly mounted press head assembly 13 which maybe swung downwardly to engage garments placed on the buck. Hot steam isfed to the head 13 to emerge through its contact face as the head isbrought into pressing engagement upon the buck. The illustrated presshead assembly incorporates a conventional press head and includes aremovable press cover assembly which is constructed in accordance withthis invention.

Three embodiments of the press cover assembly are s-hown in FIGS. 2, 3and 4 of the drawings. In each of the illustrated embodiments, the presscover ,assembly is embodied as a press plate assembly and includes adiffuser or liner plate 14 of the general type illustrated in FreemanPatent No. 2,880,529 except in the present instance, the liner plate hasthe plurality of multidirectionally oriented arches 14A projectedinwardly towards the head rather than outwardly so that the openingsthrough the arches begin at a point inwardly of the main plane of theliner plate. The liner plate is also illustrated with a rearwardly orinwardly extending peripheral flange 14F providing for anchorage of themultilayer padding that spans the front face of the liner plate and hassheet margins extending along the plate flange.

The multilayer assembly also comprises an inner layer 15 of asbestoscloth, a compressible but resilient cushion layer 16 such as aflannel-like material that may typically be about 1A; inch thick and acover layer 17 to serve as a wear-resistant contact face. The asbestosinner layer 15 provides thermal insulation between t-he metal linerplate and the exterior and it is disposed in loose, that is, notadhered, relation to t-he major surface of plate 14 and liessubstantially ush thereagainst. The cushion layer 16 in the embodimentsillustrated is a nonwoven nylon flannel having an outer face of nappednylon and having a nylon knit inner face adjacent the layer of asbestoscloth. In the embodiments illustrated, the napped nylon is drawn fromthe filaments of the knit portion of the fabric to provide a unitaryflannel sheet material. Finally, the cover layer 17 is of a nylonfilament cloth fabric to provide long Wear for t-he contact face.

With this construction, each of the layers is suitably porous to enablethe composite to provide the desired throughput of steam. The asbestosinner layer 15 is of a more open weave and its association with thepocket recesses 14A defined at each arch is such that the diffused flowof steam through the liner plate and through the inner layer isfacilitated. The asbestos layer serves the important function ofaccommodating the high temperatures developing at the liner plate andpreventing contact of the liner plate with the outer layers, therebypreserving these layers against deterioration. The knit backing on thecushion layer 16 presents a multiplicity of interstices for steam flow,thereby aiding in diffusing the steam passing through the coarser weaveof the asbestos layer 15. The steam migrates through the cushion layerand emerges from its napped face finally to exit through the closerweave of the outer cover layer 17. The knit inner face of the cushionlayer 16 is itself stretchable to enhance the conformability requiredfor the cushion layer to distort and embrace snugly about projectionsencountered bythe press plate assembly.

In this connection, the woven outer cover layer 17 accommodates therequisite contour changes of the cushion layer and allows such localdistortion as is necessary for snugly embracing projections such asbuttons and zippers. The napped face of the flannel cushion gives aspongy action to insure conformity of the cushion layer. This nappedface is continuously protected from abrasion by the lubric nature of thenylon outer cover layer 17 which also serves well to assure enduringwear-resistance.

Thus, it may be seen that each of the multilayer sheets 14, 15, 16, 17provides a specialized function but in addition, each sheet cooperateswith the remainder to supplement and promote the individual functionsand thereby provide a press plate having enhanced properties in that itis enabled to impart a soft and safe shineless finish with all types offabrics and garments while minimizing impressions due to projections andwhile maintaining the life of the individual layers and of the linerplate itself.

As seen in the drawings, the press head detiines a surface which may becharacterized as concave. The surface generally conforms to the surfacegenerated by the surface of a cylinder. To enhance the conformability ofthe plurality of layers of the press cover assembly to the contour ofthe press head and liner 14, when the layers are assembled they may betensioned longitudinally at the major axis ofthe press head.

ln the embodiment of FIG. 2, the marginal edges R and 17R of the layers15 and 17 are return folded about the liner flange 141: to provide acomposite metal and fabric flange which presents an external fabric rimthat cannot burn hands. In this embodiment, layers 15 and 16 are securedadjacent the peripheral edge of layer 16 to each other as by sewing, thestitching being illustrated in FIG. 2 by the letter S. This diminishesthe thickness of v the fabric rim of the press cover assembly where suchis desirable. The return folded portions of the fabric rim are saturatedwith a suitable adhesive to bond those flange parts in permanently solidrelationship with liner flange 14F. The rim Will operate at an evencooler temperature if the adhesive does not permeate the external layersof the rim. The rirn will also retain more of its cushioningcharacteristics where the adhesive does not permeate the external layersof the rim. Suitable adhesives include silicone rubber types such asSilastic RTV which is available from Dow-Corning Corporation and whichis applied by a room temperature vulcanizing process. Also a productknown as Silicone Seal that is available from General Electric issuitable for securing the fabric rim. It is adequate that the adhesivebe able to withstand a temperature of about 360 F. and the examplesgiven here easily satisfy that requirement.

A fabric rim effect is also provided in the embodiment of FIG. 3 whereinthe marginal edges of several of the layers are again return foldedabout the liner flange and then secured in place by a plurality ofdouble ended fasteners, one such fastener being illustrated in FIG. 3 asa double headed grommet 18 and being disposed in a counter-sunk relationso that substantially only the cooler fabric surfaces are exposed to thelikelihood of contact by the operator.

A different type of anchorage is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the edgesof the sheets extend along the liner flange and are gripped thereagainstby means of a number of suitably spaced bent U-clips 19, each pinchedinto -squeezing engagement upon the composite flange -structure. Tominimize heat transmission to the exterior of the rim, the U-clips 19may be of plastic and may utilize the minimum amount of material toperform their retention function. As such, they may be of a resilientplastic formation similar to a paper clip.

Thus, While preferred constructional features of the invention areembodied in the structure illustrated herein, it is to be understoodthat changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary self-supporting laminar press cover assembly including adiffusor plate for diffusing steam, said diffusor plate having flangedperiphery, a cushion layer having a knit back face that is locallystretchable and a napped front face that is locally yieldable andconformable and a porous fabric cover sheet overlying the napped frontface and presenting a wear resistant protective pressing surface, saiddiffusor plate, said cushion layer and said porous fabric cover sheetbeing secured together adjacent their peripheries whereby said presscover assembly may be applied to and removed from a press as anintegrated unitary assembly.

2. A laminar press cover assembly in accordance with claim 1 and whereinsaid diffusor plate is of metal and each of the other of said layers isof nylon.

3. A press plate assembly comprising a porous metal plate having arearwardly directed flange therearound, a multilayer assembly of porousflexible sheets including a fabric outer cover sheet spanning said plateand having marginal edges some of which are in a return fold relationabout said flange, and means securing said marginal edges on said flangeto provide a composite flange presenting a fabric rim safe to the touchwherein said means consists of silicone rubber adhesive permeating andrigidifying the marginal edges of at least some of said sheets tomechanically interlock with the plate flange.

4. A press plate assembly comprising a porous metal plate having arearwardly directed flange therearound, a multilayer assembly of porousflexible sheets including a fabric outer cover sheet spanning said plateand having marginal edges some of which are in a return fold relationabout said flange, and means securing said marginal edges on said flangeto provide a composite flange presenting a fabric rim safe to the touchwherein said means consists of mechanical fasteners projecting throughsaid plate flange and embedded in said marginal edge portions on eachside of said plate flange, the end portions of said mechanical fastenersbeing countersunk in said fabric rim.

5. A press plate assembly comprising a porous metal plate having arearwardly directed flange therearound, a multilayer assembly of porousflexible sheets including a fabric outer cover sheet spanning said plateand having marginal edges some of which are in a return fold relationabout said flange, and means securing said marginal edges on said flangeto provide a composite flange presenting a fabric rim safe to the touchwherein said porous metal plate has rearwardly projecting arch portionsdening multidirectionally oriented steam travel passages therethrough,and wherein said multilayer assembly consists of an inner layer ofasbestos adjacent said plate and of a loose weave to avoid blockage ofsaid passages, a cushion layer overlying the inner layer and of a nylonflannel having a knit back face that is locally stretchable and a nappedfront face that is locally yieldable and conformable, and a fine weaveouter cover sheet of wear-resistant lubric surface material overlyingthe cushion layer.

6. A press plate assembly comprising a porous metal plate having arearwardly directed flange therearound, a multilayer assembly of porousflexible sheets including a fabric outer cover sheet spanning said plateand having marginal edges some of which are in a return fold relationabout said flange, and means securing said marginal edges on said flangeto provide a composite flange presenting a fabric rim safe to the touch,wherein said porous metal plate has rearwardly projecting arch portionsdefining steam travel passages therethrough, and said multilayerassembly consists of an inner layer of asbestos adjacent said plate andof a loose weave to avoid blockage of said passages, a cushion layeroverlying the inner layer and of a nylon annel having a knit back facethat is locally stretchable and a napped front face that is locallyyieldable and conformable, and a ne weave outer cover sheet ofwear-resistant lubric surface material overlying the cushion layer, andwherein said securing means consists of silicone rubber adhesivepermeating and rigidifying the marginal edges of at least some of saidsheets to mechanically interlock with the plate ange.

References Cited UNITED ll/l959 STATES PATENTS Johnson 38-66 Young etal. 38-66 Landers et a1. 38-66 Jacobson 38-97 X Behrstock 38-66 PATRICKD. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

1. A UNITARY SELF-SUPPORTING LAMINAR PRESS COVER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ADIFFUSOR PLATE FOR DIFFUSING STEAM, SAID DIFFUSOR PLATE HAVING FLANGEDPERIPHERY, A CUSHION LAYER HAVING A KNIT BACK FACE THAT IS LOCALLYSTRETCHABLE AND A NAPPED FRONT FACE THAT IS LOCALLY YIELDABLE ANDCONFORMABLE AND A POROUS FABRIC COVER SHEET OVERLYING THE NAPPED FRONTFACE AND PRESENTING A WEAR RESISTANT PROTECTIVE PRESSING SURFACE, SAIDDIFFUSOR PLATE, SAID CUSHION LAYER AND SAID POROUS FABRIC COVER SHEETBEING SECURED TOGETHER ADJACENT THEIR PERIPHERIES WHEREBY SAID PRESSCOVER ASSEMBLY MAY BE APPLIED TO AND REMOVED FROM A PRESS AS ANINTEGRATED UNITARY ASSEMBLY.